Back Home from Vacation

We recently arrived back home in Vegas after 12 days of our favorite kind of vacation, combining casino play, touristy sightseeing, and family time.

First, we flew to Memphis to take advantage of a good offer from the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.  Our flight time was not one of the best we have ever had, with the weather causing a long layover in Dallas plus almost an hour flying in large circles around Memphis waiting until a severe thunderstorm ended.  But we finally were able to land about 1 a.m. and we were certainly happy that the casino travel department was on the ball, tracking our flight, and our limo driver was patiently waiting for us despite the late hour.  Then we had the spooky 45-minute pitch-black drive to the casino through the most God-forsaken piece of the US we have ever been in.

We were happy to finally see signs of civilization when we reached the bright lights of the casino.  My daughter Angela and her hubby Steve had already arrived from their 7-hour drive from Columbus, GA, and were fast asleep in their suite, so we quietly checked into our adjoining one and wasted no time hitting the sack.  (Good time to have an efficient and helpful host who arranged to put their names on the rooms so they didn’t have to wait around for us to check in.)

Of course Brad and I spent some time in the casino playing video poker. Angela played some VP with me while Steve enjoyed roulette, but sometimes she would join him and they tried out some of the newer penny slots.   We always met up to eat our meals together, mostly in their excellent buffet, but  enjoyed one outstanding dinner in Jack Binion’s Steak.

One day we took advantage of the Memphis sightseeing segment in this package the casino had given us (in addition to free play, free food credit, and airfare reimbursement).  First, the limo took us to Graceland, and this was a welcome change from our nighttime journey earlier, with a pleasantly scenic ride through the cotton fields.  The casino had provided four of the most comprehensive Graceland tickets ($77 each) that included all the properties and museums in the area.  Brad and I hadn’t thought we would be very interested in this, but it turned out to be a fascinating afternoon for all four of us.  Then we caught a shuttle to the downtown area where we had tickets for the Sun Studios.  This small  rundown building looked like we were headed for a boring tour.  But the enthusiastic tour guide made it magical as we heard about Elvis and how he – and so many others before and after him – recorded music history here.  It was especially poignant when we stood in the room where the impromptu  “million-dollar quartet” jam session took place – and thankfully was secretly recorded  (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins).  In the limo ride back to the casino we decided we must  see again the same-named tribute show here in Vegas – this time we will have a picture in our mind of the original!

After 3 fun-filled days in Tunica, we all 4 piled into Steve’s big truck and embarked on the 7-hour trip back to Columbus, GA, where all the family were waiting for us.  We had to celebrate granddaughter Kaitlynn’s 21st birthday.  And Zach and Taylor were happy we would be there for an early celebration of great-grandson Asher’s first birthday.  Family trumps even a royal flush!